As part of its drive to work solely with producers and suppliers who share its business ethos for being ethical and responsible, O’Briens Sandwich Bars has turned its sights on its gourmet coffee offer. While the blend and taste remain unchanged, O’Briens is now committed to sourcing an ever-increasing percentage of coffee beans direct from the grower, mainly in developing countries.

“Never before has there been a greater need to look closely at how we all source our food and drink, whether it is home grown or produce from another part of the world,” said O’Briens CEO Fiacra Nagle. “Our exclusive coffee blend is no different with fair, ethical and honest procedures at the very heart of our offer.

“Sourcing beans direct from the grower means that we can help make a real and sustainable difference to economic growth in the countries of origin, where people are eager to embrace improved trade opportunities and create better livelihoods for themselves. By doing our bit, we can help eradicate poverty and impact positively upon thousands of people – thousands of lives. Surely there is no better way to trade?”

Our coffee beans have always come from Africa, South Eastern Asia and Central America. One of the key suppliers is the Oromia Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union based in Ethiopia. Oromia’s General Manager, Tedesse Meskela, met recently with British PM Tony Blair, as part of his relentless global journey to get a fair price for the co-operative’s coffee. Tedesse and Oromia feature in the new documentary film Black Gold, which focuses on the $80 billion global coffee industry and is being released in the UK and Ireland this June.

Commenting on ‘direct from the grower’, Tadesse Meskela, said: “Paying a price that is fair helps our farmers keep growing quality coffee for consumers in the western world. Fairness in business among the stakeholders brings fair connections and genuine relationships for human beings existing together on this planet. As we all share the resources together, we should pass them on to the next generation.”

While the source for the beans has changed, the natural flavours and aromas of the O’Briens exclusive, secret blend remain unchanged. Beans are still roasted using the skills developed over many generations by an Italian family firm of master-roasters, so customers can still enjoy their favourite speciality coffee whether a cappuccino, café latte, mocha, americano or espresso.

“No matter how good the source of our beans or blend, it still has to be made to perfection,” said Fiacra Nagle. “That’s why our staff have undergone retraining in the past few weeks, helping us ensure consistent high standards and that perfect cup, time after time. It is all part of our devotion to bringing customers the very best cup of fair, ethical and honest coffee, whether they are in an O’Briens in Ireland, the UK or one of the other 12 countries where we operate around the world.”

Since O’Briens introduced gourmet coffees to its product range more than five years ago, sales have soared with customers now enjoying a wide variety of quality hot drinks. Coffee sales are fast approaching 12 million cups every year. For more information on the O’Briens coffee offer and sourcing direct from the grower, visit the web site at www.obriensonline.com.